NAUGATUCK — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy answered questions on state issues Wednesday before more than 60 people at Naugatuck High School in his fourth town hall forum — or, as some political scientists say, campaign event.

"I would say that in many ways the 2014 campaign is already under way," said Gary Rose, professor of politics at Sacred Heart University. "The town hall forum is clearly his attempt to mobilize more public support for a governorship that has not been all that endearing to the people of Connecticut."

Questions at Wednesday's forum, attended by residents of Greater Waterbury, centered on gun control, the state budget, the economy and education.

A recent poll shows Malloy receiving mixed grades for his performance on these issues.

A Quinnipiac University poll released March 12 gave Malloy his highest overall approval rating ever, 48 percent, but only 42 percent of voters said Malloy deserves to be re-elected, while 45 percent believed the opposite.

Fifty-seven percent disapproved of Malloy's handling of the budget, 61 percent disapproved of his handling of taxes and 56 percent disapproved of his handling of the economy, according to the poll.

By contrast, 48 percent approved of his gun policy, while 39 percent did not. Of the poll's respondents, 76 percent approved of Malloy's response to the Newtown shootings.

"Connecticut voters say Gov. Dannel Malloy is a good man to have in a crisis and give him very high grades for his response to recent crises in the state," said Douglas Schwartz, the poll's director. "On the day-to-day issues of governing, such as budget, taxes and the economy, he gets failing grades."

Malloy pointed to the special legislative session he convened to address jobs, the statewide tour he took of manufacturing facilities, including several in the Naugatuck Valley, and the jobs bill he proposed to increase precision manufacturing training.

He also pointed to his proposal to invest in science and technology programs at the University of Connecticut and said more proposals and announcements would follow in the next 60 days.

"I can't undo 50 years of decline, but I can fight the fight to make sure that Pratt & Whitney continues to make engines in this state," Malloy said.

Over the objections of many speakers, Malloy reiterated his support for universal background checks for gun purchasers, closing what he regards as loopholes in the state's assault weapons ban and limiting magazines to 10 rounds.

One speaker, Elizabeth Mais, said she did not think more gun control laws would make a difference and the state should focus on mental health instead.

"The laws that are being proposed are not going to stop the crazies," Mais said.

Malloy's forums do not just serve to defend his record, experts said. They also project an image of a governor who is trying harder to connect with ordinary people.

"I think it has more to do with his somewhat standoffish and what seems to be an authoritarian approach on his part," Rose said. "He doesn't seem to be all that congenial or warm of an individual. It's kind of the, 'My way or the highway,' type of approach, and I think people seem to be a little turned off by that, even if they support the way the car is running."

On Wednesday, Malloy generally declined to engage in debate with gun-rights advocates who are critical of his gun-control proposals, saying only that he simply did not agree with them. He said he was not proposing anything that was not done before 2004, when the federal assault weapons ban expired, and argued that ban was never successfully challenged on constitutional grounds.

Although he squeaked into a first term by a tight margin three years ago, political scientists give Malloy a slight advantage in 2014. He has the power of incumbency and the state largely skews Democratic, as do its growing populations of Hispanics, women and young voters, Rose said.

No matter what is said at this year's forums, Malloy's re-election will depend on jobs and the economy, experts said.

"I would have to say, if the economy is doing well, a Democratic governor in a Democratic state is a favorite for re-election," said Ronald Schurin, associate professor-in-residence in political science at the University of Connecticut. "If the economy is not doing well, the governor will struggle."

The governor should constantly be addressing gun safety for children and job creation, said Jeffrey Ladewig, associate professor of political science at the University of Connecticut.

"The governor is a pretty analytical man and he seems to be someone who is quite driven, and those are very wonderful qualities, but they don't always come across as warm and fuzzy, so this maybe helps to soften the edges," Ladewig said.

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Bob wrote on Mar 28, 2013 7:59 AM:

" Our governor is great at bringing jobs to CT. He bribed rich investment banking jobs, which, to be honest and fair really have no need for local employees as the get the brightest minds from around the planet. Same thing with high tech. How about the mayor get an industrialist who will challenge China and build some stuff in America. They can still make profits, they just choose to get more profits by treating people far away in ways we find completely unacceptable in our own society. Good job. "

" Malloy's logic: let's bring Bushmaster to CT for the taxes generated into his former city of Stamford. Oh no, I might loose votes next election. Bushmaster is bad, guns are bad. Colt, you've been here for 176 years. Colt get out and take your taxes and 600 employees with you. Colt is bad, guns are bad. I'm Governor Malloy and I'm fighting to bring jobs to Connecticut. I just spent 100 million in taxpayer dollars to relocate a company and its 100 bio researcher employees to Connecticut. See, I fight for you. "

" "more than 60 people" over 200 chairs were set up and all were taken. people were standing as well. why dont you try to report the story a little better? and this failure has no hope of getting re-elected "

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